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Artist Picks: Favorite Albums of 2016

Last week we released the Top 20 Albums of 2016. This week, some of today’s top blues rock artists share their favorite album releases from a very noteworthy 2016.

Anthony Gomes’ pick: Glenn Hughes – Resonate

“2016 has proven to be a tremendous year for blues rock. Strong offerings by Walter Trout, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Jeff Healey, Joe Bonamassa, Davy Knowles, Philip Sayce, Mike Zito, Dan Patlansky and Supersonic Blues Machine have all occupied some serious play time at home and on the road. With this said, my vote for the “Best Album Of 2016” goes to Glenn Hughes’ Resonate.

Admittedly, Burn by Deep Purple is one of my favorite blues rock albums of all time. On Resonate, Glenn puts on the afterburners and proves that 40 years later he still has fuel to fire up blues rock n roll into the stratosphere. The first single “Heavy” is undeniable. A modern blues rock classic and my favorite song of the year. Listen to that vocal! Excellent production, flawless arrangement and superb musicianship are all at play here. Glenn has one of the greatest voices in rock and at 65 years of age he hasn’t lost any of his range or tone. Simply amazing! I don’t want to follow that guy. Other standouts on the album are “My Town,” “Long Time Gone,” and “Let it Shine.” Glenn Hughes is an inspiration to us all by continuing to make music that is fresh and relevant. Thank you, Glenn, for making my favorite album of 2016.” – Anthony Gomes

Marcus King’s pick: Sturgill Simpson – A Sailor’s Guide To Earth

“It’s really hard to answer this question with just one record. That being said, I feel that Sturgill Simpson’s 2016 release ​A​ ​S​ailor​’​s ​G​uide To ​E​arth would be my pick for one of my many favorite records of 2016. This album maintains the low down country feel​,​ while at the same time introducing some new sounds. It allows the listener to feel a sense of being on a journey with the musicians creating the path through different musical genres all at the same time maintaining the raw country soul that we all love.”​ ​- Marcus King

Dan Patlansky’s pick: King King – Live

“King King’s live album is my pick for 2016. I think it’s the best put together live album I’ve heard in many years. I am a tad bias though because we were support for them on the tour when they recorded it. Listening back to the album reminds me that King King is one of the best live acts out there, and it was a great honor touring with them, and it’s awesome to be able to take one of the best live shows home with me.” – Dan Patlansky

Philip Sayce’s pick: Doyle Bramhall II – Rich Man

“Doyle has been an inspiration since I first heard his work with Arc Angels, and across all of his solo releases and collaborations ever since. Rich Man is a new masterpiece, with Doyle reaching new majestic heights & depths, and continuing to make the world a better place every time he creates. Thank you, Doyle!” – Philip Sayce

Chase Walker’s pick: Porcelain Hill – See It Now

“My favorite blues rock album for 2016 is an album called See It Now by the band, Porcelain Hill. Before you say anything, the answer is “no” you have not heard of it, which means you need to look it up. Porcelain Hill is a Southern California based band whose debut album, in my opinion, carries a quality not easily obtained in most phonorecords. The quality I am talking about is somewhat indescribable yet you know it when you hear it. I am not referring to the high audio quality or fidelity of the album, which is easy to find in many albums. The quality I am referring to is far rarer. It goes beyond what you hear and directly to what you feel. So many albums today have the highest quality of production and musicianship, yet, tend to miss the most important aspect of not only making an album, but making music– the way the music makes the listener feel. Think of the time you first heard a Stevie Ray Vaughan or Jimi Hendrix song, and had to stop and listen because of the impact the music was having on you; how it made you feel. That is the most important and yet too often the most difficult part of making a record.

Darnell Cole, Porcelain Hill lead vocalist writer and guitarist, pours out his soul on this album taking everyone on his journey of happiness, pride, sorrow and anger, in ways that I haven’t heard on most records from the last twenty years. Beyond that, he and his band put on high energy, main stage worthy live performances that conjure up images of Vintage Trouble. While you may not have heard of Porcelain Hill yet, this band and this album are worthy of your attention. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Porcelain Hill.” – Chase Walker